Renuleena Subba Named Recipient of Inaugural Subash Ghising Memorial Supreme Civilian Award

KalimNews, Kalimpong, June 11, 2025 : Renuleena Subba, widely known as the “Iron Lady of Cinchona,” has been announced as the recipient of the first-ever ‘Subash Ghising Memorial Supreme Civilian Award.’ The award, instituted to honour individuals who have significantly contributed to enhancing the dignity and pride of the Darjeeling hills, will be formally conferred upon her during an upcoming ceremony on June 22.

Renuleena Subba is a trailblazing political figure from Kalimpong, remembered as the first Gorkha woman elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from the Kalimpong constituency. She was elected twice— representing the All India Gorkha League as an independent candidate once in 1977 and again in 1982. Her tenure was marked by vital contributions to regional development, including the recognition of educational institutions, the establishment of colleges, and the creation of primary healthcare centres.

A strong advocate for the inclusion of the Nepali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Subba was also known for her powerful speeches and unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment and the rights of the Gorkha community.

Her pivotal role in leading the Cinchona plantation workers' movement earned her the title “Iron Lady of Cinchona.” In a defining moment in 1996, she led a dramatic walkout at a government-convened meeting in Siliguri, protesting the proposed privatization of the plantations. 

In one of the most dramatic political protests in the history of the West Bengal Assembly, Subba, Renuleena Subba, made headlines for her bold demonstration against the ruling Left Front government in 1981. Known for her fierce resistance and region-wide mobilizations against Left policies, Subba’s protest on August 24 of that year stunned both legislators and the public alike.

The controversy began when Subba sought permission to address the Assembly on the issue of the brutal killing of eight Congress supporters at the Samabeong (Pasting) Tea Estate near Lava in the present district of Kalimpong. The victims were allegedly attacked and killed by cadres affiliated with the Left Front. When her request to speak was denied, Subba exited the Assembly in protest.

However, what followed was completely unexpected. She returned to the Assembly premises—this time concealing a toy pistol in her shawl. As Chief Minister Jyoti Basu was speaking and describing West Bengal as a peaceful state admired by all, Subba abruptly stood up and shouted, "You are a liar! Your cadres are killing people everywhere!" She then pulled out the toy gun and fired it in the air.

The Assembly was thrown into chaos. Legislators were stunned by the sudden outburst, and the atmosphere turned tense and frenzied. Subba further intensified her protest by unveiling a red-coloured effigy she had carried, proclaiming, “This is how the people of West Bengal are being bloodied under the Left Front government.”

Security personnel quickly intervened, and Subba was escorted out of the Assembly chamber.

The next day, she was barred from re-entering the Assembly, with the gates closed to prevent her access. Undeterred, she attempted to scale the gate, creating a commotion that led to her arrest and detention at Lalbazar Police Station.

The incident remains a striking example of dramatic dissent within a legislative setting and is remembered for its symbolic defiance against the suppression of opposition voices. Subba’s actions highlighted the intense political tensions in West Bengal during the early 1980s and the extent to which opposition leaders were willing to go to challenge the dominant political narrative of the time.

Renuleena Subba’s lifelong dedication to political activism and social justice continues to inspire generations, and the announcement of this award further cements her enduring legacy.